Community Forums

MonacoMama · 12-11-2010, 12:17 AM

Richard...I am very sorry to read the information of this latest prognosis. I have been contemplating what I could say or do under the circumstances for the last 36 hours but nothing came to me until a short time ago while I was lying in bed....I remembered the following-

Quote:

The weather here has been very uncooperative all week with temperatures dipping into the mid teens and with 10” of snow falling to the ground shortly after we left with the trailer last week. We stayed in the American Cancer Society’s ‘Hope Lodge’ in Nashville all this week and will shift into the 5th wheel tomorrow. I’m concerned we’ll have a frozen water situation but hopefully with the warm-up it’ll thaw out some so we can get the water running.

...and then it came to me...
I would like to ask that some of our Middle-Tennessee members come over throughout the time you are in the area to take care of some of the normal RV chores while you are there. There is no reason that you and Sylvia should have to worry about that stuff too. I think most iRV2 members would be more than happy to come dump your tanks... or make sure the pipes are wrapped and miscellaneous stuff like that while you are there.
I hope you say it is Okay to arrange for some of our members to come by and help out...

Good Luck and please know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers....
MonacoMama & SacsTC

Hitchhiker · 12-11-2010, 01:43 AM

Thank you Becky and other posters wishing me the best and praying for me, your kind words are greatly appreciated and welcomed. I couldn't sleep and saw these posts and felt compelled to post an update to the situation here.

Becky's suggestion that middle TN iRV2 members lend a hand with my RV chores no doubt comes from the bottom of her heart and I know, if distance were not a factor, she would be here herself to help. The offer and suggestion is greatly appreciated.

We are in the RV now, it's the first night in it with this ordeal and everything is mostly OK. The water pump, which was running fine Sunday evening when my oldest son dropped the trailer off, no longer runs. Hopefully it's only a blown fuse; my other son (youngest one) will be up from Georgia with my 7YO granddaughter later this afternoon to help me check it out.

If it's burned out I have a used spare pump that I have used for winterizing my rental house, unfortunately I left it at home back in NC and getting it here would be a stretch. I'll probably just be buying another one since that would be more cost effective than a road trip to fetch it. On the plus side, that pump is less than 3 years old and should be covered under SHURflo's 3 year manufacturer's warranty unless it has frozen and busted. It was 14 degrees here earlier this week; I had left the trailer's furnace running and set on 58 degrees, thought that would be enough to keep the mechanical parts warm enough.

Temps are in mid 30's here right now and won't get below freezing again until it starts snowing later today or into the night. The bitter 12 degree cold isn't due here until Sunday night. We're running on the hose for now and the CG has has a side business using their maintenance guy to winterize RV water hoses with heat tape, insulation, thermostats, etc. He said he'd do mine this morning and once the hose is freeze proofed, having a working pump will then be a moot issue.

We called a local detailing service and they came by and cleaned all the road salt off of the trailer for me. It was a mess after towing it through all that slushy slop back in NC last Sunday. The truck was taken back to NC and a friend is washing it for me and will store it in my garage. There's a new winter blast moving in but the trailer isn't going anywhere so it'll stay relatively clean now.

I've located (on MS Streets & Trips) where the nearest Walmart Superstore is located along with the nearest Kroger. We also found a branch of the bank we deal with and arranged access to cash when we need it. We found a Sears store with an Optical Dept. in the Rivergate Mall and they fixed my glasses that broke last night. One of the nose pieces fell off, they fixed them for free and I've had them for a few years now.

Elkhartjim · 12-11-2010, 05:48 AM

God be with you and give you comfort, peace and healing. I also pray for Sylvia as your caregiver. I've been in that situation. Never having cancer I don't have a clue how you feel but I certainly understand what Sylvia is experiencing. I will keep both you in my daily prayers.

Blessings from another non-met friend,
Jim

Edit: Richard, if y'all have not already done so, I bet the hospital has a huge staff of volunteers ready and willing to help in various areas. When we were going through treatments at MD Anderson Houston, we found great help and support through the volunteer organization. I remain friends with some of the volunteers an that was over five years ago. Just an idea.

doc · 12-12-2010, 09:57 AM

Richard, we are praying that something will happen and this just be some terrible mistake. MsCarol and I love you and missed you at the last rally. It has not been the same without you and your sage advice and input during the campfire 'discussions'. You are the man that got us involved in rallies at that great rally at Hunting Island many years ago. We still hold that as the ultimate good time and standard we measure others by.
Thank you for all that you have done for IRV2 and each of us individually over the years. We value you and Sylvia for being a friend to all RVers.
May God bless and keep you and yours.
doc and MsC

diandtom · 12-12-2010, 12:13 PM

What a glowing,heart warming tribute to give to someone who is still with us and hopefully will be with us for a long time to come! Richard,do remember that Christmas is a time of miracles and we do hope you get one. We first met Richard and Sylvia at our first rally in Nashville,Tn and have had the pleasure of getting to know both of them better at several rallies. When I think of the rallies we have attended together,the one that pops up in my mind is the one he hosted in Tn.near his home when we went to the fish hatchery. I just can't get out of my mind what they do to those poor female fish! We think of Richard and Sylia as our extended family,love you both and praying for the best.

Dianne

TXiceman · 12-13-2010, 07:48 PM

What a shock to hear about Richard. Our prayers go to Richard and his family.

Ken

historyljc · 12-13-2010, 10:11 PM

Richard, from more friends that you yet to meet, BJ and I will keep you in our prayers.

Half Dimes · 12-14-2010, 11:01 AM

We've been trying to remember the places we've camped with Richard and Sylvia. A few that came to mind were Hunting Island, SC, Meadows of Dan, VA, Whittier, NC, Crystal River, FL, and Dundee, OH. All of these places were iRV2 events. Richard was usually a key part at each rally, from making sure the campfire never went out to organizing Timberlake Toss tournaments. Just about the first voice I heard at the 2009 National Rally in Ohio was a booming “Hey Dave!” from Richard sitting in a rocker at the campground's front office. We were among those that he escorted to our site at that rally.

I agree with others about the influence Richard has had in the development and success of iRV2.com. But he is also a big promoter of his rig, not only through his screen name but in campfire conversations. He's not one of those folks that can say no wrongs about what he tows. He told me about the problems he experienced as well as the fun he's had with each of his HitchHikers. We paid attention and have been HitchHiker owners for almost three years now. I have to thank him for helping us spend our money.

We had hoped to visit with Richard and Sylvia last spring when we were going to be at an Escapees rally in North Carolina, but our own health issues got in the way and we had to miss that date. Our best wishes are for Richard and Sylvia in the coming months and feel that Richard's upbeat attitude will be a factor in beating the odds.

Here's a picture I found from one of our get-togethers:

RV Wizard · 12-15-2010, 02:59 AM

Richard and Sylvia, just to let you know we have you in our prayers and will stop in to see you when we come by that way to and/or from Scottsville, Ky. Good news for my mother-in-law. Her cancer is "shrinking" according to her Dr from last Wednesday! We are praying you too will soon be feeling better.
Ever since meeting you at the Super Show in Tampa and over the years at campgrounds and on the forums, you have been like an older brother, if not a father figure to me. Thank you for always making things fun and for being the leader that has gotten this website to where it is today. You have my # and I hope you will use it, even and hopefully to just talk sometimes.
You know that I am only a few hours away and if you need anything, please let me know. I can help with repairs or get you a good price on parts. PM me your ph # in case I do not have the one you are using now, so I can warn you and see if you want a visit.
Take care and keep us posted.

Route 66 · 12-15-2010, 11:18 AM

I talked to Richard today and he has been in the hospital for several days to deal with a reaction to his first chemo treatment.

All is well and he expects to be discharged today.

They are staying the Nashville Country RV Park site #53 located at 1200 Louisville Hwy Goodlettsville, TN 37072.

Me n Slowpoke · 12-15-2010, 12:11 PM

Richard,
Sorry to hear about your cancer, but I know that with the positive outlook that you and Sylvia have, the care that Doctors can give, but most of all the strength to endure, strength to accept what God has planned for you, as we do not know what his plans are but you can bet it will be a Great plan. May you always hold God's hand thru this ordeal, and hopefully beat the cancer that has taken control for the moment. I will constantly watch for updates.
Our prayers will be added to the many others.
Helen N Floyd

smlranger · 12-15-2010, 12:12 PM

Hang in there, Richard. You are in our prayers.

**Janet H** · 12-15-2010, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Route 66

I talked to Richard today and he has been in the hospital for several days to deal with a reaction to his first chemo treatment.

All is well and he expects to be discharged today.

They are staying the Nashville Country RV Park site #53 located at 1200 Louisville Hwy Goodlettsville, TN 37072.

That looks like a nice park

Richard, we're thinking of you and your family and missing you here on the board and so glad to hear there is some improvement.

Floridafran · 12-15-2010, 08:32 PM

Richard,

I'm relatively new to IRV2 and have "met" you only through the wonderful help and advice you've given when you answered my questions.

As a cancer survivor (6 years and counting) I wanted to tell you what helped me avoid the nausea that so often accompanies chemo. I never let my stomach get empty. At times I felt like I ate constantly. I never ate at lot at one time, just nibbled or grazed all day long. Peppermint and butterscotch hard candies also seemed to help. I don't know if this will work for you but if does help, it still would fall short of beginning to pay you back for all I've learned from your posts.

Prayer is a powerful thing. You and Sylvia have a lot of prayers coming your way, including mine. I know of several cancer miracles. I pray I can add you to that list.